Teacher tells pupils santa does not exist - then apologises.

Considering that parent's and teacher's tell kid's all sort of things nowadays, I am not much surprised. Things being discussed nowadays between the younger generation, had no bearings on my upbringing, and what I was allowed to know.

Apparently the above, as been explained as a possible question and answer exercise, which the teacher addressed as he thought fit, honest and proper. And from that, its been blown out of all proportion.

"Whoever posted 'Yes, I do.' I recommend you think about that a little more."

It was me, and I don't need to think about it for a second more, thanks.

Generations of children have loved believing in Santa Claus - it's on of the delightful and harmless myths that has made childhood special. That a teacher was unable to use her brain and come up with a suitably evasive answer is a shame. Children have their moment of disillusionment soon enough, without mean-spirited teachers hastening the process, and as far as I'm aware nobody has ever had their lives blighted because they believed in Santa for a few brief years.

We can do without life being a featureless plain of relentless, stark reality, populated by people who are so devoid of imagination they regard things like the Santa Claus myth as something to be eradicated, because to perpetuate it means 'lying' to children. I find that attitude pathetic in the extreme, and I thank my lucky stars that there are still enough people with a little of the dreamer about them to continue to perpetuate the story.

I can't wait to watch 'Polar Express' with my young nephews on Christmas morning - it's a regular feature of my Christmas, as are the phone calls I make to them, and to the five children of our friends when I impersonate Santa on Christmas Eve. They love it, and I love it, and I have every intention of continuing as long as I'm asked.